New Range Rover Velar vs Audi SQ5 vs Porsche Macan

Packing a powerful petrol V6, the hottest Range Rover Velar aims to be the best sports SUV. However, the Audi SQ5 and Porsche Macan will have a thing or two to say about that

Words ByWhat Car? team

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8 Dec 2016 08:00Last updated: 5 Dec 2017 16:12

Buying and owning

Costs, equipment, reliability, safety and security

It’s at this point that the SQ5 plays its trump card. While it can hold its head high on merit, it’s also the cheapest to buy by around £20,000. It’s cheapest to insure and service, too, as well as being predicted to lose the least in depreciation, so is by far the most affordable in the long run. The Velar is the priciest to own.

If, like many, you’d rather buy on PCP finance, the SQ5 will cost you around £230 a month less than the Macan and a whopping £435 less than the Velar, assuming a £7000 deposit and a three-year term.

For company car drivers, the Velar and Macan cost similar amounts to lease but, once again, the SQ5 is the cheapest by a hefty margin. Its lower list price and CO2 emissions also mean it will cost £8000 less than the Macan and £9000 less than the Velar in BIK tax over three years for 40% taxpayers. None of our cars is particularly fuel efficient – a price you’ll pay for a powerful petrol V6.

The Velar comes with the most luxury equipment as standard, while the Macan is the stingiest. You can spec it up to the level of the other two, but you’ll spend five figures doing so. We’d recommend the air suspension (£1004) and maybe some additional leather. The SQ5’s air suspension is worth the £1000, but there’s little else you need. As for the Velar, remote rear seat folding is all we’d add.

The Macan and SQ5 both scored five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, with the latter protecting adults best and a single percentage in it for their ability to protect children. The Velar is yet to be tested.

However, only the Macan lacks automatic emergency braking (AEB) and, shockingly, this crucial safety aid isn’t even an option.